My two favorite Japanese science fiction movies, by far, are Godzilla (1954) and Rodan (1956). Both were directed by Ishiro Honda. But I have an inexplicable liking for a handful of other late 1950s and 1960s Japanese science fiction movies. Most of these movies aren’t very good objectively, but I like them anyway. Of the ten movies on this list, the first eight were directed by Honda.

Note: I use the release year of the U.S. versions which is often different from the Japanese release year. For example, The Mysterians was released in 1957 in Japan and then the U.S. version came in 1959/1960 depending on region.

1. The H-Man (1960) – Following a nuclear test, the crew of a merchant ship vanishes. They have become not-nice liquid people. Interesting plot that involves police, smugglers, scientists and nightclub girls. The H-people are destroyed in the end.

2. Atragon (1963) – The legendary empire of the lost continent of Mu reappears to threaten the world. The earth’s best hope is a super advanced submarine that can fly and burrow undeground — Atragon. Mu and its evil empress are defeated. This movie is still very popular in Japan.

3. Latitude Zero (1969) – Latitude Zero is a super-advanced underground Utopia. The plot involves an evil scientist who has a cool submarine and who creates an eagle plus lion hybrid. And there’s bat-people too. The people of Latitude Zero triumph in the end.

4. Gorath (1962) – The Earth is in the path of Gorath, a runaway star. Attempts to blow the star up fail but the Earth unites and puts enormous jets in the South Pole to move Earth’s orbit. The plan works.

5. The Mysterians (1960) – Weird disasters happen all around the planet. The Mysterians appear from outer space and say they come in peace. Are they good or evil? Answer: evil. The Mysterians want Earth women for breeding. The Mysterians are defeated but they escape back to space.

6. The Human Vapor (1960) – As the result of an experiment gone wrong, a librarian gains the ability to turn into vapor. This allows him to commit crimes and escape detection. He is obsessed with a dancer. It’s a doomed relationship for both.

7. Battle in Outer Space (1960) – The planet Natal threatens Earth. They intend to colonize and enslave everyone. Early battles don’t go well for Earth but newly developed Atomic Heat Cannons finally save the Earth.

8. Matango (1963) – A group of shipwrecked castaways on a deserted island eat mushrooms. Bad idea. It turns them into giant walking mushroom people. In the end, one person escapes . . . or does he? (Answer, no he doesn’t).

9. Terror Beneath the Sea (1966) – A mad scientist has an underwater laboratory and lots of henchmen. He turns people into amphibious servants. Agents Ken and Jenny defeat the evil Dr. Heim.

10. The Green Slime (1968) – Astronauts discover they have accidentally brought a slime creature back to their space station. It reproduces quickly. But heroic action blows up the space station and all the creatures.